Completed in March 2015, this walk is one of many I have planned along major Twin Cities thoroughfares. On the day of the walk, I tweeted my adventures using #LyndaleWalk.
Walk stats
Distance: 20.2 miles
Elapsed time: 7:21:41
Moving time: 5:41:32
Average pace: 16:52/mile
FitBit step total for the day: 45,012 steps
The route
After reading A midday escape on Lyndale Avenue in the Southwest Journal last year, I decided I wanted to walk the entire length of the major thoroughfare as one of my local walking challenges.
This walk had me step foot in four cities: Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis, Richfield, and Bloomington.
Within Minneapolis, I was in 14 neighborhoods: Lind-Bohanen, Webber-Camden, McKinley, Hawthorne, Near-North, Sumner-Glenwood, Harrison, Lowry Hill, Lowry Hill East, CARAG, East Harriet, Lynnhurst, and Kenny. Since Lyndale is the boundary for several of those neighborhoods, the list would be different had I walked on the east side of the street but for the most part I was on the west side during my time in the Minneapolis section.
18 miles of Lyndale Avenue
Janelle standing at her starting point
The start of my Lyndale Avenue walk was at 57th Avenue North in Brooklyn Center near the Mississippi River. After I returned from my walk I realized that I should have started north of 62nd Avenue North. Good thing I’m not a perfectionist! (ha!)
The end of my Lyndale Avenue walk was at the Minnesota River (closest numbered street was W 106th Street).
Caught my eye along the way
The walk starts along the Mississippi River. It was difficult for me to leave the water but I had to in order to stay on Lyndale Avenue.
View of the Mississippi River along Lyndale Avenue around 57th Avenue North
North Mississippi Regional Park
Driving along I-94, you may not know there is a beautiful park behind the sound barrier. North Mississippi Regional Park has great views of the Mississippi River, walking and biking trails, a playground, and a picnic area. Next time I’m at the park, I’ll check out the Carl Kroening Interpretive Center.
A few clues that I should have crossed the Interstate at 53rd Street to walk along W Lyndale Avenue N.
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- Interstate sound barrier wall
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- Bird nest on top of sound barrier
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- Lind-Bonhanen neighborhood
Building at 44th Avenue N
Read more about this building thanks to the investigative work of Ghost Signs of Minneapolis.
Train delay
Camden shopping center
Scuplture by Zoran Mojsilov
Fairview Park is a great place to sit and look at the skyline
I need to sit on this bench in Farview Park at sunrise.
One of the times I was unsure where it was safe to walk.
Celebration of Life Mural was torn down to make way for Heritage Park development
This sculpture marks the spot where the Celebration of Life mural once stood. It was torn down to make way for the Heritage Park housing development. Images of the mural by Bill Cottman.
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- The underbelly
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- I should have listened to the sign
I love driving by this piece of art – it isn’t quite the same on foot.
I wanted to stay close to the Minneapolis skyline which is where I went wrong and had to back track to stay on Lyndale.
I was off track at this point – I wonder why?
Basilica from a different angle than I normally see it.
This is so Minneapolis – Spoonbridge and Cherry at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
The most ridiculous bus stop in the city of Minneapolis.
Will this section of Lyndale Avenue be improved as a result of the Hennepin/Lyndale Avenue Reconstruction Project?
Lunch stop at Common Roots Cafe
Scott met me for lunch at one of our favorite places on Lyndale Avenue – Common Roots Cafe. He was sick so unfortunately he couldn’t join me for the walk.
Yarn bombed trees in front of French Meadow Bakery & Cafe
Midtown Greenway
LynLake Brewery is so right
Blocked!
46th Street scarecrows
This couple went missing.
Then they were found.
Home at Lyndale Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway
Cookie monster at Washburn Library
I stopped at Washburn Library at 53rd Street and Lyndale Avenue South for a quick break. Urban hiking should always involve stops at local libraries!
South Lyndale Liquors at 53rd Street
Made it across the border without incident.
Preparing to cross over I-494 in Bloomington
Toro corporate campus, 8111 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN
Great Bear Center, 9070 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN
David Fong’s has been open since 1958
David Fong’s has been open since 1958 and is the meeting place for the Bloomington Lion’s Club.
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- Tracks
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- Nice try. You can’t stop me Bloomington.
A motley collection of small businesses at 99th Street in Bloomington.
A pretty end to Lyndale and a roundabout so I could walk back if I wanted
At the southend of Lyndale Avenue is the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
At the end of the 18 mile walk, I was ready to head home even though I wanted to explore the wildlife refuge. Have you ever been to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge? The Louisville Swamp Unit trails are beautiful.
Future walks
Other major streets to serve as future walking adventures:
- Lake Street & Marshall Avenue
- Cedar Avenue
- Hennepin Avenue
- France Avenue
- Nicollet Avenue
- University Avenue
- 38th Street (great idea Jason!)
What’s your favorite street to explore in the Twin Cities? In Minnesota? In other states or countries?